Smooth Traffic Flow Is Not an Indicator of Lebaran Homecoming Success
National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) regards the Lebaran 2026 exodus and return as an important moment to test the commitments of transport operators and government in safeguarding consumer rights. Fitrah Bukhari, Chair of BPKN’s Advocacy Commission, said the Lebaran homecoming is a routine agenda for society in welcoming major religious holidays.
‘The readiness of the exodus should not be measured solely by traffic flow, but must move forward, namely zero violations of consumer rights across all modes. This is what must be pursued,’ he said when contacted on Friday, 6 March 2026.
He said that the organisation of Lebaran homecoming must ensure the fulfilment of passengers’ basic rights, including safety, comfort and security across all transport modes.
BPKN believes readiness for the exodus is not enough to be measured by smooth traffic. According to Fitrah, the measure of success should also include the absence of violations of consumer rights across various transport modes.
With increasing mobility during the exodus period, he said, transport operators should actually raise service quality, not lower standards to chase journey frequency.
BPKN also highlighted the potential decline in service quality due to passenger surges. Fitrah urged all transport operators not to lower basic service standards on the grounds of high demand. A surge in passengers should be a momentum to demonstrate improved service quality to consumers.
Beyond services, ticket price issues also attract attention. BPKN asked regulators to monitor transport ticket prices during Lebaran exodus so as not to give the impression that operators are profiteering from the need of people to go home for the holidays.
Fitrah said the policy to relax Lebaran ticket prices also needs further study to ensure the benefits are truly felt by consumers, rather than being preceded by price hikes followed by discounts.
The issue of travel delays is also a focus for BPKN. According to Fitrah, delays must not cause material or immaterial losses to consumers. If delays occur, operators must automatically provide compensation in accordance with the applicable provisions.
Fitrah also stressed the importance of audits of fleet viability and transport crew before the exodus period begins. Operators are asked to ensure the condition of their fleets and to regulate crew working hours rationally so that they can deliver optimum service to passengers.
On the other hand, the potential for extreme weather also needs to be anticipated through clear contingency plans. Fitrah assessed that the government needs to prepare an integrated cross-ministry and agency response to protect consumers affected by travel disruptions due to natural factors.
BPKN also highlighted the application of a buffer zone as a strategy to ease congestion during the exodus. According to Fitrah, facilities in these buffer zones must be adequate and equipped with basic consumer necessities.
Furthermore, BPKN emphasised the importance of information transparency through data integration among field staff. Fitrah reminded that consumers held up in buffer zones should not have their tickets deemed invalid. In such circumstances, operators must still guarantee the passenger’s departure on the next available schedule without imposing additional charges.
Earlier, the Ministry of Transport arranged the delaying system and the designation of several locations as buffer zones outside ports. The delaying system will be applied at various points, both on toll roads and arterial roads to ferry ports.
The rules regarding the delaying system and buffer zones were set out in Joint Decree (SKB) No: KP-DRJD 854 of 2026, No: HK.201/1/21DJPL/2026, No: 20/KPTS/Db/2026, No: Kep/43/II/2026 dated 5 February 2026 concerning Traffic Regulation and Crossing During the Lebaran 2026/1447 Hijrah exodus and return.
The SKB was signed by the Director General of Road Transport (Hubdat) and the Director General of Sea and Land Transport (Hubla) of the Ministry of Transport, the Chief of Traffic Police (Kakorlantas Polri), and the Director General of Public Works (Bina Marga) of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (KemenPU).
Director General of Road Transport, Ministry of Transport, Aan Suhanan, said the strategy aims to manage queues of vehicles heading to ports to prevent congestion at the main access routes.
The arrangements for delaying journeys and buffer zones are directed towards Merak Port and Bakauheni Port, as well as toward Ketapang and Gilimanuk Ports.
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